Brad Pitt talks about kids' reactions to paparazzi

Actor Brad Pitt, 43, recently sat down with Parade, and one of the items discussed were the paparazzi. The father of Maddox, 6, Pax, 3 1/2, Zahara, 2 1/2, and Shiloh, 16 months, understands the appeal of his family with partner Angelina Jolie, 32, but believes that it is getting out of hand with the media.

I mean, yesterday Angie was taking Maddie off to school. There were 30 paparazzi outside. One guy sticks a videocamera in Mad’s face, yelling, ‘Maddox! Maddox!’ He doesn’t get aresponse. He doesn’t know my boy. Mad is already savvy to this,unfortunately.

But my 2-year-old dreads being anyplace there arecameras. It scares her. They’re all in her face. My kids are faced withthis every day! It’s disgusting. So we’ve been run out of L.A., all themajor cities. We just can’t live there. You don’t understand — this isthe hunt, the hunt, the hunt! I thought it might be over a year ago.It’s gotten worse.

Brad has many beliefs that he lives his life by, but one of the most important is family.

What’s important to me is that I’ve defined my beliefs and livedaccording to them and not betrayed them. One of those is mybelief in family. I still have faith in that.

Source: Parade

Comments

It is sad that the kids have to go through this. I get excited when I see new pics of them, but its not worth it when it disrupts their childhood. I can’t imagine how hard that it for Brad and Angie to deal with. And its not remotely their fault; they’re just trying to live normal lives. The media/paps just get crazier every year. It wasn’t like this say 10 years ago. I definately think some laws should be passed restricting how close these photographers can get to people, especially children, because its the same thing as harassment or stalking in my mind.

- Heather on October 2nd, 2007

I don’t think I have a favorite celeb family. I love seeing pictures of all the celeb families including this family but, reading this from his perspective and seeing how upsetting it is to Zahara, I feel guilty for even enjoying photos that some of these crazed paps take. I do however realize there are some paps who don’t go over certain boundaries and those are the ones I’m sure most celeb families expected to have to deal with, not the other kind.

With this family being photographed so much you would think that the photos wouldn’t be in such high demand or worth as much as someone who’s family you rarely see.

- Melanie F. on October 2nd, 2007

As long as they keep living such public lives(acting,charities,travels,etc…)the press will continue to track them. They have enough money to retire from acting(Demi Moore did it)and live in less paparazzi prone places.

- Leah on October 2nd, 2007

Obviously since I read CBB, I am a big fan of celeb families and can’t wait to see new pics of the kids, etc. But the lengths the paparazzi go to to get these shots are ridiculous. I have seen video of photographers in the faces of celebs as they are trying to get in their car, out of their car, drive down the street, walk in a store, etc. What happened to TELEPHOTO LENSES? Can’t they keep a reasonable distance and still get a good picture? Maybe if they weren’t in everyone’s face all the time, there wouldn’t be pantyless shots of Britney, Lindsay, etc. And what about respecting the families’ privacy and safety. Yes, if you’re walking down a public sidewalk and you are a celeb, you should expect your picture to be taken, but you should not have to fear for your children’s lives. Can’t they give us the pics we want without terrorizing our favorite celebs??? I love seeing pictures of Brad & Angelina and their kids, but I would rather see one professional shot released every few months than to see them be chased around all the time. Give them a break and let them raise their children!

- Melanie on October 2nd, 2007

Poor Zahara! If it’s gotten to the point where she’s actually afraid of the situation, then the paparazzi definitely need to back off. Brad has already asked them to keep their distance when the kids are around; what else does he need to ask for?

- Jenn on October 2nd, 2007

I will disagree, with all due respect to your opinion, I think Brad and Angelina can do more to prtect these kids. I often wondered how the kids felt about all the cameras and it they were OK with it. Brad and Angie know that they attract the paps like bees to a flower and though it is unfair to change their lifes to avoid paps they have to do it for the kids if the kids feel that way. Older celebs have expressed how traumatic it is to be famous, how about a young kid?

I know it is unfair but if the kids feel that way then they will have to change their tactics and give up ‘normal life’ atleast for a while. We all make sacrifices at one time or another and they will have to make sacrifices too. Home school the kids and hire stores to bring toys to the kids, yes they will be inconvenienced but it will save the kids all that trauma growing up.

It is a business and a game and the paps are doing their job and they want to make money and though I do not excuse their behaviour, I recognise that it is the parents to look out for their kids. We did not see Shiloh for almost a year, how did they do that? I believe they have the resources to buy a decent degree of privacy.

- Clare on October 2nd, 2007

I agree with Leah… I wish more of these “famous ones” would take a note out of Demi Moore’s handbook. I, for one would like to see less of certain so-called “celebs”. Although, I would be lying if I did not admit to really liking this particular family for a myriad of reasons…

- CeeCee on October 2nd, 2007

I wish there was some type of rule or law where the paparazzi would be required to stay X feet away from them, maybe 20-30. The in the face stuff makes me feel bad for the kids.

- Colleen on October 2nd, 2007

well, demi moore? i don’t think so! see what happened to rumer willis? ermm.. maybe julia robert is a perfect example. i dunno.. actually, we always see their pictures going to school so, that’s why we don’t see shiloh’s pictures esp, in prague. i think brad’s complaining about the paps in school.. since i’m not a celebrity, i cannot judge them..

- levnette on October 2nd, 2007

Clare – Are you suggesting the children stay inside all the time to avoid the media?? That is not fair to the children, they need to be able to go to the playground, go to a zoo, take a walk around the city and not be hounded by so many people with cameras. I agree there ought to be a law prohibiting the press from getting within a certain number of feet of the family. There is really no need to have 30 different people taking the same photo day after day of either Brad or Angie taking Maddox to school.

- Leene on October 2nd, 2007

Demi Moore made the concious decision to raise her three girls AWAY and OUT OF the celebrity spotlight- I applaud her for that. Of course, none of us knows what kind of parent she is/was to her girls’ and as any parent knows- you can do your best in raising your kids… as they grow older all you can do is hold your breath that you have done your best and done right by your kids… they eventually become adults and make their own decisions and their own mistakes… I do not think that anyone can “blame” Demi Moore for whatever trials her daughter happens to be going through at the moment…

- CeeCee on October 2nd, 2007

With all due respect, Brad isn’t saying DO NOT take any pictures of my children. He understands how it is in the business, celebs need paps, if they want to keep their names out there. He is simply saying that SOME paps are out of control. He realizes that it comes with the terriority but, guess what? Anyone in your childs face close enough to scare them does not come with the terriority and that is if you are a celeb or not. Let’s not make it seem like he is the only celeb that has a small child and is complaining of just how crazed paps have become.

They shouldn’t have to retire or quit doing charity work if they chose not to do so. Let’s say they move to Alaska, guess what it’s not going to change the crazed paps MO the will just find another family to terrorize. Paps should realize that there is a line of respect being crossed concerning being in celeb’s children’s faces, hollering their names. Nobody can sit here and tell me they wouldn’t have a problem with a stranger in their personal space if they were out with their child and I’m not even talking about celebs. Outside of someone’s personal space, hey it’s fair game.

There are numerous of families who complain about paps getting so close to their children including Jennifer Garner, I say celebs with children who have experienced crazed paps should get together and change the laws regarding on how close paps are legally allowed to get within celebs out with their children.

Let’s not forget the paps that camped out at Tom and Katie’s house to get pictures of Suri. Were the Cruises out showing Suri around? No, they shouldn’t have to deal with paps camping outside of their houses to get the first photo op.

- Melanie F. on October 2nd, 2007

I agree with Leene. You can not expect that just because the parents “chose” to be famous then their kids should have to suffer by being kept hidden behind doors all the time. It’s people like us, who want to see pictures of them, that cause the paparazzi to get out of hand. It is absolutely reasonable for them to want to live a fairly normal life for the sake of their kids. It is absolutely reasonable for them to want paparazzi to back off a bit to give their kids a little bit of freedom to say play at the playground or go to the zoo. And it is absolutely UNreasonable for anyone of us to say “oh well, you chose to be famous and if you don’t like it, then either quit the business or go into hiding until your kids are all grown up”. I too think a law should be passed that would keep paparazzi at a certain distance. I think it’s a reasonable solution and really…all I think the celebrities are asking for is that paparazzi stay at a distance and let them and their kids have a little space and room to breath!

- Heather on October 2nd, 2007

First, I just love Brad’s nicknames for his kids. Second, what he says about the kids and their reactions is always written on their faces in most photos. When they’re right up in their faces, Mad is looking bored and wondering when the photog will find something else to do, and Zahara, well, she makes no bones about showing how she feels toward having a camera in her face. I don’t blame her for scowling at the photogs.

I just find it sad they’re being run out of almost every town they want to make their home. As much as I love seeing the photos some of the hounds take of them, if they could just do it where they’re not disrupting their lives so terribly and have a lens shoved almost up the kids’ mouths, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

But to hear how it’s a big swarm of them the majority of the time, I just feel bad..

I get the photogs want to make the biggest amount of money and Brad and Angie and their family are the one of biggest meal tickets, unfortunately, but the hounds could get decent shots staying a few yards away, using a bigger hi-tech lens or something.

- FC on October 2nd, 2007

Britney ought to take this information to heart

- Nicole on October 2nd, 2007

Jodie Foster, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts – all A-list, highly successful actresses — how do they manage to stay away from the paparazzi’s radar? Clearly they are doing something right.

- Rachel on October 2nd, 2007

I have always thought that celebrities shouldn’t complain about paparazzi as it part of what brings them theri fame and money. But it seems like the amount of papperazzi has gotten out of hand. If you watch a video of this family leaving a store it is just frightening and disturbing to see 20 paps yelling and flashing away.

But, I do feel that Brad and Angie have the choice to stop working for a fe years, get out of the limelight and raise the kids outside of the madness. They don’t need to work for the money.

- Sarita on October 2nd, 2007

Rachel,
Let’s be honest, Jodie, Gwyneth, and Julia are not nearly as popular as this family IMO. Brad and Angelina are the most popular family out there, and people are so intruiged by them because they live such wonderful lives and do amazing things. This has nothing to do with their personal lives, or careers as actors. They have expressed many times that their family comes first…MOVE?! Come on, if they moved to a desert island, the paps would all move there too and be just as worse. I don’t believe this weighs on the family but on the paps. I love a picture of this family as much as the next person but it’s going too far. I could handle an occasional picture of the family having an outing from far away but repeated days at Mad’s school close up? It is not only unnecessary but disguisting. Paps do their jobs, and get paid….because we buy the magazines, so there is no desire for them to change. Goodness do I wish this would change though, because it is sad for the children, and Brad and Ange clearly want the best for their children.

- Shelby on October 2nd, 2007

It really is sad when kids have to endure something like this. Hopefully the paps will back off. Don’t they have things like long-range lenses?

On a side note – I can’t stand it when people refer to their children as the “two-year old” – the kid has a name, use it.

- Crystal on October 2nd, 2007

I agree with you Melanie F. I knew as soon as I read this that there would be some people commenting that in some way Brad warrants this behavior for his children. I for one think that is ridiculous. Brad is a smart man. I am sure that he is very much aware that he is considered one of the hottest celebrities, as I am sure that he is also aware that he is dating one of the hottest celebrities. Brad has asked the paps to please keep their distance for the sake of his kids. He didn’t demand that they never take pictures, just respect his children. I don’t think that he expects to be able to live a so called “normal” life; free from the paps taking pictures wherever and whenever they can. I think that all this man is asking for is consideration and respect for his children and I don’t care who you are, how much money you have or how many movies you’ve made, that should be given. This “game” as you so eloquently put it Clare, should not be played with children. And why should they have to change their occupation and perhaps dream just because the paps can’t do what they do skillfully and without notice or atleast chaos? Anyway, I can go on and on but I just think that it’s unfair to say that he in some ways should be blamed.

- Destiny on October 2nd, 2007

Brad & Angie stir up more interest of who they are, their careers and their actions. Jodie Foster lives in NYC, I believe, but she is not on the same radar as Brad & Angie. Brad has been one of the most sexiest men, and Angie has been one of the sexiest females and that alone causes more attention. Add to that their red hot movie careers, their charity work and their diverse family and there is definitely more interest to them and people want to see them.

Jodie, Gwenyth & Julia have not had the same careers, not to say that they aren’t immensely talented or any less famous, as Brad & Angie and that’s why they are not garnering the attention that the Jolie-Pitts do.

They only way, I believe, that Brad & Co. could ever get the privacy that they want is they took a lesson from Johnny Depp and move to a remote area where there are no paps and the community at large didn’t care that they were there.

That being said, why should Brad and Angie do that if they want to stay in the United States? That is where they work, that is where they want to live, and now that is where Maddox is going to school. They have every right to be there and the paps need to keep their distance. These are children, not adults, and they should be given the space that they deserve. As someone mentioned above, long lenses are a perfect option to be discreet.

- Devon on October 2nd, 2007

Whilst i feel sorry for the whole family, i find it hard to believe they didn’t foresee this. I mean two celebrities as big as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie having children.That they’ve adopted as well as having a biological child has attracted attention- i couldn’t wait to see Zahara and Shiloh- and coupled with all the charity work it’s no wonder they are admired and found intriging. They have wonderful, fun, loving lives and it’s fascinating.

- T on October 2nd, 2007

Rachel

They are not married to A-List celebrities, Angelina and Brad were both famous before they hooked up….that’s what makes them such a hot commodity…..the media has changed in recent years…everyone carrys a camera and everything is reported if not by main stream media then by gossip blogs…I have to believe this is the most photographed celebrity couple ever.

- hya on October 2nd, 2007

Brad needs to realize he made his bed now lie in it! I agree keep the kids at home, sorry but that is what he created when he called the media and news each and every time he adopted and hooked up with AJ. Maybe she was right he needs to sit there and look pretty.

- blady02 on October 2nd, 2007

Crystal, I think by stating, “my two year old” he is emphasizing the point that her age prevents her from using strategies to deal with the paps, unlike the older kid. Parents don’t say the age instead of the name as a slight, I think it is often used when it pertains to the context of the conversation.

- amelita on October 2nd, 2007

In that Parade interview, Brad said he thought all the attention he and Angie were getting would be over in a year. I thought so too. Evidently we were both wrong!!

- essie on October 2nd, 2007

I don’t agree with the comparisons to Demi Moore. Her kids were toddlers in a different celebrity era. I can remember reading People Magazine in the early 90s and really enjoying the “real life” stories. Now its mostly filled with celebrity/sensational crap. I do enjoy some of this crap, but before the internet, and more recently celebrity blogs (No offense CBB ladies!), the chances to profit from celebrity photos were so much fewer and far between. I’d love to hear a statistic about the # of paps working in Hollywood every year over the past 30 years. I bet the trendline of late is exponential and staggering.

I don’t think there is an easy solution for Angelina and Brad. They seem to alternate work schedules, but in order to have the working parent in the same city as the family they need to move the family around, as they’ve been doing. Even much more low-key cities like Vancouver seem to have a paparazzi presence that appears whenever stars are in town. I hope that they (and all celebs) are able to find a happy solution before one of the kids gets hurt physically, or permanently scarred emotionally!

- meglet on October 2nd, 2007

I wholeheartedly agree with the comments about laws to keep the paps a certain distance away, and using telephoto lenses. It really is a “hunt” as Brad puts it, and it’s frightening, really. I don’t know how it doesn’t fall under *harassment.* Can anyone explain that?

- daphneesmith on October 2nd, 2007

I imagine it must be terrible having papparazzi harassing one’s children.

I would simply leave the business – honestly, that’s what *I*would do.

I really find it strange that Brad Pitt (and others) complain, yet fail to do whatever necessary to protect one’s children. The point is, celebrities are ENTERTAINERS – these “stars” are not paid millions because they are better than anyone else, they are paid because they ENTERTAIN the public. I think a lot of celebrities fail to understand this… It goes with the territory. But why a celebrity would subject one’s children, that’s beyond me. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how one can avoid being in the spotlight…

- entertained on October 2nd, 2007

How come any time a celeb complains baout the paparazzi, people get angry? The same thing happened with Ryan complaining about them and there have been others too. Also, using Demi isn’t a good example cause yeah she did the best for her children which is a plus but does she have a sucessful career now….the answer is not really.People don’t understand that to move away from Hollywood and NYC, you lose possible career openings. To get hired in Hollywood, you have to be seen.Julia Roberts isn’t acting much but we see her kids a lot , even in her homes away from major cities. When you are as famous as Julia,Ryan, and Brad and Angelina, paparazzi will find you…wherever you are.

- Renee on October 2nd, 2007

I feel sorry for the kids, but not for Brangelina. I’m not naïve enough to believe that if they pulled up stakes and went to live in Middle on Nowhere, USA that the paparazzi would just shrug their shoulders and leave them alone. However I do believe there are things they can do to minimize the attention and they choose not to do those things. The constant and very visible traveling, persistently peddling their family life the media with the exclusives, magazine covers, interviews ect. I they hate it so much then they can take steps to reduce the attention and hysteria. Yet they don’t do that. So I choose to believe that they can’t hate it all that much. I think on some level they actually thrive on the attention.

- LAILA on October 2nd, 2007

You can’t say that Brad and Angelina should just move somewhere remote and then paparazzi will leave them alone. Brad and Angelina are the most famous and beautiful celebrity couple (as far as most people are concerned) and people are fascinated with their lives. They have gone all over the world and to some of the most remote places. I think Cambodia and Namibia are probably the only places that they aren’t stalked by papparazzi quite as much(Namibia has strict laws about the papparazzi). I feel so much for these kids and even though I like seeing pictures of this family, I wish that the papparazzi would leave them alone sometimes and shoot the pictures from far away.

- Kaley on October 2nd, 2007

I’m going to play devils advocate here and say come on it’s paparazzi camera’s not guns. Is Brad trying to tell me that his kids are going to wind up as traumatized as a child living in the slums of Rwanda or even a child growing up in an abusive house hold, I don’t think so. They will be just fine because they have loving and responsible parents. Trust me in a few years after the cuteness factor has worn off and they are kids and not babies (yes I know Maddox and Pax are older) and Brad and Angie get older and their celebrity begins to fall (you don’t see anyone chasing Goldie Hawn around Hollywood for pics) the pap’s will leave them alone. If they were teenagers I could see this having a negative affect on them especially with friends and school but as kids their age (Zahara, Shiloh) they probably won’t even remember. Maddox has already learned to deal with them the thing is to make it not a big deal for the kids so they can just shrug it off. I know parents want to protect their children but sometimes you have to count your blessings Brad has healthy and happy children and that’s more than some people can say. So count your blessings because the paps aren’t going anywhere.

- LolaCola on October 2nd, 2007

Please! Parents’ do what’s best for their children= famous or not- it’s just that these famous folks have much more wealth, options and advantage on their side(s). So what if Demi Moore does not have a “shining career” now? She did what was best for her family/children? Didn’t she? She sacrificed for them, then to me that’s a winning situation. Take me for example- I am an everyday working mom with two boys’- 5 & 2… my 5-year-old is having difficulties in his afterschool program, so what are my options at this point? I am thinking of cutting back my work hrs. so that I would be able to be home for him after-school and he would not have to go to the afterschool program… do I want to give up those hrs. and that income? No, but will I do it to help my son ease into a new school-routine? Absolutely! I feel that once you have kids, your life is not “over” but there are certain sacrifices, decisions that may not be favorable that parents’ need and are making on a daily basis for the best interest(s) of their children… this is just my humble opinion, but nonetheless it is my own… Also- I agree with Devon who mentioned Jonny Depp- he is an A-list actor, but he made a concious decision to move with his family to a remote area of France where they are not bothered- he and Vanessa did that for the sake of their children- as they have said- their children did not ask for fame and the intrusion that comes from that… also, there is also Bermuda where Michael Douglas and CZJ live- that island has a no-papz. law… papz are NOT ALLOWED at all on the island. As I said this is only my opinion…

- Chloe on October 2nd, 2007

The paparazzi shouldn’t even be allowed to take ANY pictures of their children. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are the ones that are famous. They are the actors. NOT their children. This goes to any other celebrities with children. Paps shouldn’t go taking pictures of kids, if they aren’t acting. It’s the parents that chose it, not the kids. therefore I think there should be some thing about not allowing paps to take pictures (especially hound) the celebrities while with their kids.
I love seeing pics of the children, but, their safety comes first, and I would rather not see any pics of them, and let them grow up like a normal child would.

- Alyssa on October 2nd, 2007

She was raising Maddox in England on an estate for privacy before all this started.

I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t be possible to have a fabulous huge piece of land somewhere where the kids would be able to run around and have privacy.

It seems like a parent would choose that over choreographed outings with bodyguards and photographers.

If they lived a more conventional life without all the camping out in hotels, I think the novelty would wear off after a while.

- Mousie on October 2nd, 2007

I want to know whow Brand and Angelina enjoy the attention…I hear and see people saying it but they usually can’t back it up with solid facts.I’m assuming none of us on here know them personally, so how can we judge how they really feel about the paparazzi?

- Renee on October 2nd, 2007

Chloe: I really liked your comment. You were right on the money.
Regarding Brad’s comment: “so we’ve been run out of L.A., all the major cities. We just can’t live there…” – Let me get this straight, in order to avoid the media they decide to move from LA to…NEW YORK?!? Do they really need to be told that NY is not a good place to be if you’re trying to hide from the papz? I thought they were planning on establishing their HQ in New Orleans – what happened to that plan? Oh, and BTW, Zahara ‘dreading being anyplace there are cameras’? To me it looks like she loves the limelight – take a look at these pics: http://www.infdaily.com/2007/09/say-cheese-z.html
I also think that aside from the media circuit around them being scary to their kids, it could also be detrimental to their career; I think they are in grave danger being overexposed to the point where people will just be sick of seeing/hearing from them… Personally, I’m really not that interested in them. If the pics are posted I’ll have a look, but I could certainly live without it. I’m tired. Goodnight to all.

- Maya on October 2nd, 2007

amelita,

I didn’t think of it that way. That makes sense.
I just can’t stand it when parents or other people refer to their kids as “my two-year old”, “the boys (or girls)”, “the twins”. Yeah it may be more convenient, but they are individuals and have names too. I know I do it too, but I really try not to.
But I totally see what you are saying, and that probably is what he was trying to do!
Thanks!

- Crystal on October 2nd, 2007

I agree with many posters here. I think that the paparazzi should be given guidelines as to how they can snap the stars. But I also think this is rather naive of Brad – he and Angelina did a shoot with Maddox and Zahara in Vanity Fair (?). They didn’t NEED to do that. They also released pictures of Shiloh when she was a newborn.
Brad and Angelina are a power couple. Two already hugely famous celebrities dating and having children – it’s a phenomenon. While I am saddened to hear of the children’s reactions to the paparazzi, this didn’t need to be the case. Sure, they’re very VERY famous, but they have the resources and ability to raise their children out of the spotlight, e.g. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. They were mega famous back in the day, and the girls seem very normal. We see pictures of Rumer, because she’s into acting, but we hardly see pictures of the other two.
Paps should be given guidelines, but I am bemused at Brad’s comments. He’s made similar comments on other posts, but I wasn’t commenting around then. You want to continue to be an A-list? By all means, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Brad knows about the problems, and why it’s happening – I don’t know why he bothers saying anything at all.

- Ans on October 2nd, 2007

Not here pursuay but, I believe that some people on different blogs, have it twisted about what is acceptable and expected of celebs. I am beginning to think that some people think that because some of us help contribute to the pay of celebs to live a lavish lifestyle, we think they belong to us, that their lives is no longer theirs but ours and theirs.

For the people on this blog who own their own business and that includes your spouses, you pay your employees for working for you, you don’t own them because you are paying their salary, outside of working for you and doing a great job at doing what they are getting paid for, they owe you nothing else. You don’t have to share your family if you don’t want to. For the ones who do work, yes you get paid to do a job and that is what you do. It ends there your bosses don’t own you, you don’t owe them anything aside from doing the work you are getting paid for. You don’t have to share your family with them if you don’t want to.

The same applies here, reality is celebs DO NOT OWE YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THEIR PERSONAL LIVES. Now some have been nice and have shared photos of their family members willingly, some will talk about their spouse, or their children, siblings, parents etc… during interviews, but that is by choice we see A LOT who absolutely refuse to do so and that’s their choice, we can’t make them. Now I see why Christina A. refuses not to talk about her pregnancy or personal life, good for her.

Before a lot of us were born there have been paps around taking photos of families, so I’m pretty sure that celebs knew that having
pictures taken of them, even when they
didn’t want them to, or at times they didn’t want them to, comes with the terrority and hey it does. Taking photos close enough to count the freckles on a celeb’s childs face DOES NOT come with the terrority.

As far as Zahara, check back on all the posts just on CBB you can maybe see three at the most of her smiling, I remember people asking, “does she ever smile”? Why are people naming other celebs, it wouldn’t matter if Johnny, Catherine, Demi etc… lived in downtown LA or NY their familly still would not get as harassed as the J-P’s. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of other celeb family photos that we have not seen but, they aren’t in as high demand as Brangelina so it’d be pointless for someone trying to make money, to sell them.

Anyway I’m done with this post, to each his own.

- Melanie F. on October 2nd, 2007

Sarita said: “But, I do feel that Brad and Angie have the choice to stop working for a fe years, get out of the limelight and raise the kids outside of the madness.”

That’s exactly what they’re going to do. I don’t have the exact quotation, but Angelina has said multiple times that in a few years time, she is going to completely retire from making films. The only reason they’re working now is to get it out of the way while the children are young – they want to have enough money to support themselves, and their charity interests, in the future. At that point they won’t need to spend time in New York or LA, and the paprazzi swarms won’t be as intense in the places they’ll spend most of their time (for charity work). They’re basically hoping that the interest will die down by the time their children are older, and aware of what’s happening.

I think it’s admirable of Angelina and Brad to pursue a normal, happy, exciting childhood for every one of their kids. They persist in seeking that for them – *despite* the criticism, *despite* the discomfort of screaming crowds, *despite* the hoardes of crazy photographers who each want to snatch a little piece of their soul and splash it across the pages of magazines. To me, that’s a brave thing to do.

We all know the four Jolie-Pitt children will never want for anything in a material/financial sense, but the greater gift their parents have given them is in feeding their sense of adventure, nurturing a curiosity for the world. Letting them visit a toy store like any other kid in America, to visit the zoo, to play in the park. By not giving in to the pressure to keep them housebound, homeschooled and cooped up, their faces covered like Michael Jackson’s poor kids, they’re teaching them a much more valuable lesson than the paprazzi could ever hope to take away.

- Emmy on October 2nd, 2007

Emmy- ITA! I also remember Angie saying that in interviews multiple times. Also, she and Brad have stated that they will both be taking next year off (yes, both of them. This was confirmed in an interview in People magazine a few months ago). Therefore, hopefully next year they won’t be bothered quite as much.

That said, to answer the poster who asked why they moved to NYC if they wanted to escape the paps….They’re in NYC because Brad is filming a movie there. In otherwords, they HAVE to be there because of Brad’s work (just as when they lived in Prague, it was because Angie was filming a movie there).

As far as Zahara “loving the limelight”….I agree with the poster who pointed out that she is smiling in all of about THREE pictures here on CBB. In most of the pics we see of her, she is either scowling at the paps or appearing to be afraid of them.

Also, having read this interview…No wonder they carry Pax and Z most of the time (naturally they care Shi as well, but in her case that’s pretty much to be expected given her age)! Sadly, in their case, it seems like most of the time it is just too risky to let Pax and Z (especially Z) walk when they’re out in public surronded by crazy paps.

Finally, I want to state that I think this interview pretty much clears up the questions about why we hardly saw Shiloh until she turned 1. Obviously Brad and Angie knew that bringing thier bio baby out would case the paps to go at least ten times crazier than usual (Brad even said in an interview shortly after Shi’s birth that Shi “had a bounty on her head before she was even concieved”).

- Anonymous on October 2nd, 2007

It is easy to sit there and castigate the paparazzi but one thing we should remember is that these children belong to Brad and Angelina and not the paps. It is upto them to protect them and look out for their welfare. Every one is trying to make money and the paprazzi are not about to stop. These couple actively court the media like Princess Diana did only to urn around and cry foul. Yes they have a right to a normal life just like every one has a right to swin in a pond they like at any time but what happens when a pond has sharks? Do you swim in it to exersise your right?

Angelina said she hated the limelight when her dad exposed her to it, why then does she inisst on carrying her kids every where when she knows they are going to be terrorised by the paparazzi? She did move to Englad for a while for Mad, that means she can move somewhere for the sake of these kids but I strongly believe that Brad and Angelina love all this hoopla around them and when it is about to die down, they stroke the embers. Any celebrity can decide to turn their lives into a media circus, look at Tom Cruise, when he turned his life into a circus, the paps cames in with all the rage, now that he excercises discretion, they have backed off. That is how it is. You can’t have your cake and eat it. The ball is in their hands and their actions feed the media. When you sell your child’s pictures for any reason charity or otherwise, you make them a commodity and ny one will think they have a right to make money off them.

Simple advise to Brangelina: Sit down and draw up a plan to protect your kids. You are not naive enought to think that you can be that famous and paps leave you alone. Some thing gotta give, we all can’t have it all, homeschool the kids like someone suggested, buy and Island, send a bodyguard to pick Mad for a month. What do you expect when Angelina goes to pick Mad with Brad and the rest of the kids? Come on, the solution is clear, respect your kids privacy and the paps will respect it too after all charity begins at home!

- Megan on October 3rd, 2007

Amazing that, once again, that when one of these two cry foul, anyone with only half a brain goes “Awww, poor…..!”

No one has ever been THIS popular, so these two are not really to blame.

No one has ever been THIS sexy, so these two are not really to blame.

No on has ever….not really, ever. EVER, EVER, EVER….The are the most……GROW UP!!!!

They bring it upon themselves and the complain!!! You can have fame without having your children become the victims of your PR blitz. Famous people, celebrities, really really shiny stars (pick a phrase you can actually wrap your brains around) do it, have done it and will do it in the future.

Another case of “I’m not responsible for my own problems” piss poor excuse for a PR blitz gone horribly wrong.

p.s. If B Spears had said half of the BS that Pitts said in this interview, each and every one of you would be LAUGHING your A***S off! Why???? “Stop bringing attention to yourself and GROW THE HELL UP!!!!!” and if you can’t, SHUT THE HELL UP and deal with the consequences of your actions!!!!

- Danielle on October 3rd, 2007

Like all of us we like crap on celebrity but when I see all paparazzi around stars getting crazy. Brad Pitt said they liked over in France cause they weren’t bothered by anyone. Here we have law against paparazzi.
Should have some in CA

- cassopolis on October 3rd, 2007

Just curious… say you have some man become obsessed with you and he and his friends start to follow you around with cameras and video EVERYWHERE you go, gets in front of your car to keep filming, when your at your kids soccer games, eating lunch, picking your kids up from school, all this same stuff… then he posts it on youtube and the internet. What if it started to upset and scare your kids?

What would you do?

- momof2inpa on October 3rd, 2007

What would I do? If I could afford to, I would move. But if I were a celebrity then the interest in me would die down, so maybe that wouldn’t be such a good move for my career… Hmmm. I guess I’d have to consider what’s more important to me: my privacy or my career. Just like someone pointed out: you can’t have your cake and (you know the rest).

- Maya on October 3rd, 2007

People here are just so judgmental about this family.I don’t get why…really explain it to me…if they don’t let the paparazzi take pictures of their kids, people complain…if they do, people complain.*Signs* I don’t think Brad and Angelina are the ones with problems around here…and that’s all I’m saying

- Renee on October 3rd, 2007

So children should be locked away on a private estate for their own protection – maybe they should dye their hair and wear masks to avoid photographers? Or go to the zoos and museums at night?
That’s what Michael Jackson does and we call him a freak.
I don’t think Brad and Angelina expose the children (and themselves) just for publicity. I think they are trying to show the children the world. The same way we take our kids to museums and parks, the Jolie-Pitts should have the same exposure.
Paparazzi can use long-distance lens, but they won’t have the same clarity as when the photog are up close. I think Brad and Angelina have been more than accomodating, by offering the various photo shoots with Vanity Fair, OK!.

- sweetdiva on October 3rd, 2007

I really think there should be some rules for the Paps, it has definitely gotten out of hand. They are so bad that they put people’s LIVES in danger. And for kids that is just awful. I don’t think the solution is locking these kids up all the time, that isn’t fair to the kids. And I don’t believe that if Brad and Angelina got out of the business that it would solve the problem, I think it would take a LOOOONG time before it would make any difference. There should be very strict rules about the Paps taking pictures of the kids, the celebrities are one thing they made this choice, their kids didn’t.

- Diana on October 3rd, 2007

sweetdiva- ITA! Why should the Jolie-Pitt kids be deprived of doing normal kid things, such as going to the toy store and the zoo, just because they are always followed by crazy paps?

I also don’t get how Brad and Angie taking their kids to do “normal” things automatically means they must be using them for publicity. I mean, what are they supposed to do? Keep the kids indoors all the time and never let them see the light of day?

Diana made a good point as well. As famous and popular as Brad and Angie are, quitting acting and moving to a remote area probably wouldn’t solve anything, at least not for quite a long time. Let’s face it, they are quite possibly the celeb couple/family that the media is most interested in right now. Even if they were to move somewhere remote, that interest would more than likely take several years to fade, and the paps would still at least try to come after them.

As far as the comments about the magazine photoshoots Angie and Brad have done with their kids…The fact of the matter is that, if they DIDN’T do those, the paps would probably be going even crazier trying to get pictures of them.

Finally, about the comments about them not being able to “have their cake….” (you know the rest!)….I think that Brad and Angie are aware of that. As one other poster stated, I don’t think they expect to live a “normal” life without any paps at all. In fact, when the family first arrived in NYC, Brad was even quoted as telling the paps that he understands that taking photos of celebs is their job, but he would prefer it if they would use the long-range lens to take pics of the kids. In otherwords, it doesn’t sound like he is telling the paps, “Don’t take any photos of my kids”. He just wants his family to be allowed their personal space!

- Annoyomus on October 4th, 2007

I agree with Leah… and others. There must be laws for the paps but really Take a break from what they are actually doing and live life out of the lime light. Many high profile people do this…i.e. Julia Roberts, Demi Moore and many others… I am actually tired of seeing pics of them please go somewhere and raise your family out of the paps eyes, it can be done they have to want to be out of the limelight..(i.e. no red carpets and maybe one or both of them needs to take a break from acting, isn’t that what parenting is all about making sacrifices)..NYC is just as busy as LA choose somewhere that people really do not care who you are…

Just my two cents…

- Anonymous on October 13th, 2007

Yup I don’t get the fuzz surrounding celebrities at all! I wouldn’t give a shit if Princess Di or Brangelina sat next to me in an airplane! I’d still think “So what?! Who gives a fuck?! They’re just people!”

Point is we as a society should find a way how to cure our celebrity-addiction disease or else we’ll see more crazy celebs and star-papparazzi brawls and all that bullshit!

And this is why I LOVE THE FIFA WORLD CUP! At least when the tourney’s on, people divert their attention from celebrity bullshit to what goes on in the Football-pitch (something that is infinitely more fun than celebrity hunting). Hell even Brangelina (who were having Shiloh at that time) WAS NOT discussed by people around me while the tournament was being played and to think I lived in a country that is showbiz-crazed and NOT soccer-crazed by any extent of the imagination (the Philippines).

- Antonio on July 11th, 2008